The Ugandan general election of 2006 took place
on February 23, 2006. This was the first multiparty election since Yoweri
Museveni, the current president, took over power in 1986.
Six candidates contested for the Presidential office, and at least
33 parties
were expected to enter the Parliamentary and District chairperson
elections.

Yoweri Museveni ran for re-election. His main opponent the
leader of the opposition party Forum for Democratic
Change, Kizza
Besigye. Besigye was arrested on November 14, 2005 on
allegations of treason,
concealment of treason, and rape.
The treason case included his alleged links to the rebel groups, Lord's Resistance Army and People's Redemption Army, and
the rape charge referred to an incident in November 1997 allegedly
involving the daughter of a friend. The arrest led to
demonstrations and riots in Kampala and towns around the country.
Pro-Besigye protesters believed the charges were fabricated to stop
Besigye from challenging Museveni.

In December 2005, six presidential candidates, including Yoweri
Museveni and the leaders of the three major opposition political
parties, and two independents, qualified to contest in the
elections.

Results

Official figures released on February 25, 2006 showed Museveni
had won 59% of the vote, giving him a third term as President,
while main rival Kizza Besigye took 37%. Opposition supporters in
Kampala staged some protests
but were dispersed by riot police with tear gas.[2] On 6
April, the Supreme Court of Uganda
rejected Besigye's request to dismiss the poll by a vote of four to
three, though a majority agreed that there had been electoral
irregularities.[3]

Controversy

The 2006 election was marred by a lot of controversy with the
incumbent government accused of intimidating the opposition
parties[4].
Examples of this intimidation include; the arrest and detention of
one of the opposition leaders, Kizza Besigye allegedly on charges
of rape and treason [5].

Notes

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The Group of Six or G6 are the main opposition political parties
which include, the Democratic Party, Uganda Peoples Congress,
Conservative Party, FDC, The Free Movement and Justice Forum.